The synagogue in Heemstede narrowly escaped an attack. The authorities announced this on Friday. Several explosives were found near the house of worship. Police have already arrested two youths suspected of intending to carry out the attack. They were behaving in a conspicuously suspicious manner near the synagogue.
Police told RTVNH that extra patrols had already been deployed in the area around the synagogue. The suspects are teenagers aged fourteen and seventeen. Both remain in custody. Additional police protection has now also been put in place at the synagogue. Officers are monitoring the area and are meant to deter anyone with harmful intentions. Police did not want to tell the broadcaster explicitly that the site involved was the synagogue in Heemstede.
Heemstede mayor Falgun Binnendijk (CDA) visited the Jewish institution early Friday afternoon. He declined to comment to RTVNH. He then left under police escort. Police are asking anyone who may have seen anything suspicious or who has more information to come forward. This can be done via 0900-8844 or through the tip form on politie.nl.
Police later issued an update: “Goods were found overnight in the area around Adriaan Pauwlaan. We are investigating whether these goods contain explosive material. We are also investigating whether there is a link between the goods found and the suspects who were arrested. The police are conducting an investigation.”
Since the arson attacks on Jewish institutions in Liège, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam, the authorities have been on heightened alert. There is more police protection than usual at various Jewish buildings and sites. Jews are also receiving increased protection where necessary. The acts were claimed in online videos by a group calling itself Ashab al-Yamin.
According to Justice and Security Minister David van Weel (VVD), it is likely that young people are being recruited to carry out attacks. In exchange for money, they are allegedly used to set off explosives at Jewish institutions. Early last week, a similar video also appeared showing an explosion at a building in Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, although that was not a Jewish site.
